Moussem of Sidi Ben Aissa
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Morocco celebrates a number of Moussems, festivals honouring saints, and the Moussem of Sidi Ben Aissa, held in Meknes, is one of the biggest and most spectacular. For the two festival days each April, white, conical circus like tents are set up in the towns square and a cross between a circus and a medieval style jousting tournament is held. Horses charge in rows with riders firing guns from the saddles, while illusionists, jugglers and glass swallowers perform in the tents. These explosive death defying celebrations spring from a time when the Moussem of Sidi Ben Aissa was a time for the gathering of the Aissoua brotherhood of priests who were renowned for their ability to perform death defying acts while under trances. There is also music, singing and dancing, market souks and a party atmosphere. The main celebrations take place around the tomb of Ben Aissa, the founder of the Aissoua Sufi Brotherhood. Meknes, where the festival is held, remains one of Morocco’s most traditionally constructed cities and is know for its beautiful architecture and production of beautiful, detailed mosaics and metal work.
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Photo by flickr user ollografik
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